Voting Open for 2nd Annual Community Grows Here contest!

We are happy to announce the finalists in our Second Annual Community Grows Here Facebook contest! Each non-profit organization has the chance to win pro bono services or financial or volunteer support throughout 2015.

Meet the finalists:

The Havre de Grace Housing Authority (HdGHA) provides safe, quality affordable housing opportunities for low, very low and extremely low income residents of Harford County, Maryland. The HdGHA is requesting assistance in designing and building a community garden and green space for the residents of its Somerset Manor Residents’ Association. A portion of the garden will be farmed for food security and the green space will provide learning opportunities for adults and children.

The League for People with Disabilities serves more than 2,500 people annually through nine therapeutic programs that help individuals with disabilities gain independence, increase self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. The League is asking FTLA to help establish a garden revitalization program where members of their programs would have the opportunity to nurture and grow plants which produce fruits and vegetables for consumption. The garden must meet limited space requirements, be easily maintained and accessible to clients with limited mobility, including those in wheelchairs.

Pigtown Food for Thought (PFFT) is dedicated to improving healthy food access in Baltimore’s Pigtown neighborhood. The group has successfully established one community garden, and is requesting FTLA’s assistance in creating a second. PFFT is seeking support in the way of donations of fertile soil, mulch and tools for the community garden where neighbors could grow food for themselves, as well as native and flowering plants for a planned rain garden.

Community Grows Here was launched in 2014 as a follow-up to our 10th anniversary initiative in which it supported 10 local charities in meaningful ways. The inaugural contest winner was Civic Works—Baltimore’s urban service corps and an Americorps program. The group received pro bono services to revitalize the Dayspring Program Facility’s parking lot, which will serve as the primary parking lot for the residents of Dayspring, a supportive housing program for homeless women and children. FTLA’s pro bono design for the group helped them secure a $50,000 grant.

Voting for this year’s winner is now open through March 31st. To vote for your favorite visit the FTLA Facebook page under the Community Grows Here tab. The winning non-profit will be announced in April.

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